Bidspirit auction | RARE GREEK TERRACOTTA MODEL OF

RARE GREEK TERRACOTTA MODEL OF ACTOR - EX CHRISTIE'S - Hellenistic period, Ca. 300 - 200 BC. A terracotta statuette of comic actor wearing the mask of an elderly man and a cap in the shape of a phallus with phallic-shaped lappets to the side; wearing a cloak over his shoulders, open to the front exposing his large belly and elongated erect phallus, woollen armbands to the elbows, hands extended forward; seated on a square chair with plinth to the front, small shoe to the right edge of plinth; traces of original polychromy preserved. The anatomical forms are deliberately exaggerated, a characteristic often seen in theatrical performances, highlighting the comic elements of the setting. For similar see: Christie's, Live Auction, 9088, Fine Antiquities, Lot 229; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 13.225.16. Size: 215mm x 130mm; Weight: 595g. Provenance: Private UK collection; Ex. Christie's 1996; Ex. Nancy Mallen, London 1972. A copy of Christie's catalogue page attached. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy.